As you eat your sandwich, you probably never realized all the science that went into it. Because, of course, some researcher had to study exactly how the mayonnaise flows off your knife onto the bread. [wiley.com]

News of the Weird
Weirdnuz.M325, June 30, 2013
Copyright 2013 by Chuck Shepherd

Lead Story

The executive in charge of the electronic infrastructure of Facebook confirmed to London’s information-technology website The Register in June that when the company inaugurated its first “cloud” data-storage facility, in Prineville, Ore., in 2011, the equipment was “drenched” when an actual cloud formed inside the building. (Facebook had only “hinted” previously at a Prineville “humidity event,” according to the Register.) The tall, huge building’s cooling units use an electricity-saving system that takes air from the outside (rather than recirculated indoor air) and subjects it to various humidity levels to cool the heat coming from the aisles of computer servers. Apparently, engineers had not accurately anticipated the vapor condensation profile of the new system, and rain guards were promptly installed. [The Register (London), 6-8-2013]

Can’t Possibly Be True

PREVIOUSLY ON WEIRD UNIVERSE: In May, not too far removed from last year’s mass shooting at an Aurora, Colo., movieplex, management at the Goodrich Capital 8 Theaters in Jefferson City, Mo., hired men dressed in full tactical gear and carrying guns resembling M-4 rifles and 9mm pistols (as “S.H.I.E.L.D.” operatives) to greet patrons for the opening of the new “Iron Man” movie. Police were not pleased by the barrage of frightened 911 callers who were fearful that “Aurora” was happening all over again. Capital 8 manager Bob Wilkins said that “hundreds” of customers were entertained by the publicity stunt and that “only a few” were upset. [KMIZ-TV (Columbia, Mo.), 5-9-2013]

Since Rozie, a pregnant Asian elephant at Albuquerque’s ABQ BioPark Zoo, stands a better chance of a healthy birth if she is strong, the “elephant manager” and staff have been putting her through twice-a-day, Pilates-type exercises (featuring leg lifts, squats, and other calisthentics). (Rozie is due sometime between August and November.) Lest anyone worry that Rozie is being mistreated, the elephant manager noted, in a May press release, that her participation “is completely voluntary.” [City of Albuquerque press release, 5-22-2013]

PREVIOUSLY: The founder of the Beauty Park Medical Spa in Santa Monica, Calif., has introduced a 45-minute procedure called the “Male Laser Lift,” which is also known colloquially as “tackle-tightening,” involving the removal of hair and wrinkles on the scrotum, along with laser treatment to remove “discoloration.” Co-owner Jamie Sherrill (“Nurse Jamie”) told London’s Daily Mail that sales are up this year, and some might attribute that to a joke comment made by actor George Clooney that the latest Hollywood craze was “ball-ironing.” [Daily Mail, 6-10-2013]

PREVIOUSLY: Recently parents in Texas and New York City have pointed out that when children commit sex offenses against classmates, educational policy (and sometimes, the law) seeks to give light punishments and second chances to the perpetrators, thus posing risks to future classmates. A Texas child, raped at age 4 by a 13-year-old, recently was forced to endure the return to class of the perpetrator after only 45 days away at an “alternative” program--because federal law requires the child’s prompt return to ordinary classroom settings if a “disability” played a role in the incident. A New York City mother filed a $6 million lawsuit in May against the city’s Education Department after her son was allegedly forced to perform oral sex on a group of classmates, one of whom had already been involved in a sex assault--for which he received a five-day suspension. [KHOU-TV, 5-6-2013] [New York Daily News, 5-30-2013]

A theme park in Mexico is offering an unusual experience for visitors. A three hour fake illegal border crossing. The owners say they want to discourage people from a real border crossing with the experience. I am sure making money is another goal as well.

Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid.

Paul Di Filippo
Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.

Chuck Shepherd
Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre.